A Las Cruces man has been sentenced to seven years in federal prison for possessing methamphetamine and fentanyl following an attempt to evade arrest.
Court records show that on May 15, 2024, officers from the Las Cruces Police Department tried to arrest Guillermo Yanez, 47, on a warrant issued in El Paso, Texas. The warrant was related to tampering with evidence in a narcotics case. As officers approached, Yanez ran away, jumping over a wall into an apartment complex. During the pursuit, police observed him reaching into his waistband as if trying to get rid of contraband. Officers used less-lethal munitions but were unable to stop him until later. When apprehended, Yanez had methamphetamine and cash in his pocket.
Officers searching the area found a container with fentanyl-laced pills and powdered fentanyl. In total, they recovered about 50 grams of pure methamphetamine and 99 grams of fentanyl. After his arrest, Yanez admitted that the drugs belonged to him and said he threw the container during the chase. He also told investigators that he distributed drugs to support his own methamphetamine use.
Yanez pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute both methamphetamine and fentanyl. Upon completing his prison sentence, he will be under supervised release for four years.
“There is no parole in the federal system.”
Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison and Acting Special Agent in Charge Philip Russell of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Albuquerque Field Office announced the sentencing.
The investigation was conducted by the Las Cruces Resident Agency of the FBI’s Albuquerque Field Office with help from local law enforcement agencies including the Las Cruces Police Department and Las Cruces/Doña Ana County Metro Narcotics Agency. Assistant United States Attorney Maria Y. Armijo prosecuted the case.
